Abstract: We reviewed research progress on the biological characteristics, invasion and expansion history, possible distribution area, environmental limiting factors, control methods and application ofAmaranthus retroflexusL. The results showed that A. retroflexus could adapt to a wide range of germination conditions, especially at high temperature. A. retroflexus can adjust its biomass allocation and physiological and biochemical processes to cope with environmental change. This species has strong phenotypic plasticity. Under global climate change, its invasion is continuing and it will expand to southwest China. Developing and screening new herbicides and exploring the application methods are the solutions to reply the resistance to drugs of A. retroflexus.A. retroflexus has high nutritional and medicinal value, as well as potential use in phytoremediation. Current research on this species is still insufficient; following issues should be strengthened: (1) adaptive evolutionary mechanism under environmental pressure and molecular basis of rapid adaptation; (2) its effect on soil microbial community, plant community structure and animals in the invaded area and the underlying mechanism; (3) balancing between the application and prevention of A. retroflexus invasion.

Key words: Cu, antioxidant response., growth, chlorpyrifos, earthworm